The elephant that followed the howl of the Coyote
Thalefang Charles | Friday April 3, 2015 11:03
When the news of Stimela’s lead singer Nana Coyote’s passing broke out, coincidentally the Arts & Culture team was getting into a meeting with the directors of Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF). The directors, Rashid Lombard and Billy Domingo, were at the old offices Mmegi in Maruapula.
It was a cold Tuesday morning of July 6, 2010 and the two jazz promoters from espAfrika were in the country to assess the viability of organising a jazz festival in Gaborone. It was to see if they could host one similar to their most successful event in Cape Town, now dubbed Africa’s Grandest Gathering. Before the meeting could delve into the festival proposals the Arts&Culture team delivered the sad news of Coyote’s passing to the enterprising jazz promoters.
They, especially Lombard, were visibly moved and wondered how Stimela would make it without Coyote. Lombard, who was then the CTIJF Chief Executive Officer, briefly shared his reminiscence of Coyote’s ‘great’ performance with Stimela at the 2007 CTIJF.
Born Tsietsi Daniel Motijoane in Lesotho in 1955, Coyote, as he was known on stage, was the lead vocalist with a very distinct, rich and growling voice that became a signature for Stimela. Although he only joined the band later, his vocals are on Stimela classics like A Song Tells A Story, Africa Changes and Go On Living Your Life.
Coyote stepped up to lead on vocals when the founder and bandleader of Stimela, Ray Phiri, went on an epic musical tour of Graceland with Paul Simon.
Over the course of his career, Coyote recorded five albums with Stimela including the highly acclaimed reunion 2007 DVD titled Stimela Live In Concert 25 Years, which was shot at the Durban Playhouse.
In the DVD, Tim Modise described him, rightly so, as “the howler whose voice touches your heart strings”. The DVD showcased 25 of Stimela’s live concerts over 25 years in South Africa and puts the music in context with a commentary titled, Search for the Elusive Missing Chord.
It was therefore a huge loss to Stimela and the fans when Coyote departed in 2010 as it felt like that ‘elusive missing chord’ has vanished yet again. But it appears the band continued their search for the ‘elusive missing chord’ to find a talent that would ‘continue the legacy of Coyote’ and found it.
His name is Sam ‘Charlie’ Ndlovu, 45.
“I did not replace uBra Coyote,” Ndlovu said at this year’s Hamptons Jazz Festival in Gaborone on Saturday. After sending the ‘Hamptonettes’ on reminiscence with the moving vocals that were originally done by Coyote, Arts & Culture met with the man backstage to share his journey with Stimela.
Ndlovu (meaning elephant in isiZulu) said it is impossible to replace such a giant like Coyote saying his contribution is only to continue the legacy of Stimela the best way he can.
“It is not about replacing Coyote, but continuing on the legacy of such a massive talent that was lost when Coyote passed on. It is also about continuing Stimela’s fire,” Ndlovu explained.
He said it has been a humbling journey with great lessons ever since he became part of Stimela in 2010. He joined the legendary band before Coyote died and said he had time with him before his death. He said that the old timer gave him some education that he carried with him in the exciting journey with Stimela.
Ndlovu said: “Coyote was a giant of a man, but very humble with a great voice and to attempt to fit in his shoes has been a humbling experience”.
He further revealed that the remaining members of Stimela, namely; bandleader and guitarist Ray Phiri; keyboardist Lloyd Lelosa (who did not make the Gaborone trip); Isaac Mtshali – the drummer; and guitarist Ntokozo Zungu, were really supportive and inducted him well.
“The whole family of Stimela as well as my own has been supportive on my new role in the band and that has really helped me fit in,” Ndlovu said.
Ndlovu did not just excel in his new role because of other people’s support, but largely because of his own ability.
Although he would not sing praises for himself, he is the best understudy of Coyote.
Arts & Culture first met him at the 2013 Joy Of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg. They were performing at Mbira Stage and coincidentally just like at the Hamptons Jazz Festival last weekend, they shared the stage with the songstress Zonke Dikana of Feelings fame.
Ndlovu was a bit unknown then but he sung his heart out. He was calm on stage and did the famous ‘tsipa’ dance with Phiri and other peculiar moves that the veteran entertainer likes to do.
The crowd that packed the Mbira Stage gave Ndlovu a nod of approval in form of loud cheers as he performed the hit Go On Living Your Life. Stimela has really found the replacement for Coyote, some revellers shared their views on the new member.
The big stage and international jazz audience that make their annual pilgrimages to the festival did not intimidate Ndlovu.
He sang so passionately and effortlessly that those who did not know would have thought it has always been him on the vocals.
When Arts & Culture caught up with Phiri during the night after the show at Mapungubwe Hotel in downtown Johannesburg, he was also happy about his new band member’s performance.
He was also relieved that the fans have ‘accepted’ Ndlovu continuing their story spanning more than three decades, of the journey of his legendary Stimela band.